Fulgencio (Thelepte, actual Medinet-el-Kedima, Tunisia, c. 462 – Ruspe January 1, 527) belonged to the senatorial family of the Gordiani. As a young man he played the role of procurator that, in the civil administration of the Vandals, involved the collection of tributes. Attracted to and after having heard the reading of the commentary of St. Augustine on Psalm 36, he decided to embrace the monastic life.
Toward the year 499 he traveled to visit the monks of Tebaida in Egypt. Upon arriving at Sicily some of his friends who were sympathetic to the Monophysite heresy, persuaded him not to continue the journey. He found himself in Rome in 500; toward the year 502 he was named bishop of Ruspe. The Vandals exiled him two times to Cerdeña where he founded some monasteries.
His writings are filled with Augustinian resonances that he merited the name, «Augustinus breviatus». His monastic life is also inspired in the teaching and example of Augustine. Such was his love for community living that he could not figure out any other form of life without the company of monks. For this purpose he founded various monasteries both in his native land and in exile.
We, Augustinians, celebrate his feast, beginning at least the year 1581. We remember him as staunch defender of the catholic faith and passionate animator of evangelical community life.